Jury hears from accused for first time

KAMLOOPS - Roy Fraser told police, "I hope you find them" during a missing persons investigation for the two men he is now accused of murdering, a jury heard today.

More than four years later, Fraser has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Damien Marks, 31, and Kenneth Yaretz Jr., 24, and is in the midst of trial by jury in B.C. Supreme Court in Kamloops.

Video evidence was shown today in court of a recorded interview with the accused and police on April 27, 2009 — 10 days after they went missing.

Fraser told RCMP Const. Andre Mathieu during the interview that he knew nothing of the whereabouts of the two men and hadn't spoken to them in months. He repeatedly said throughout the interview that he wanted his truck back.

He said he'd reported it missing after Yaretz Jr. borrowed it and never returned it.

The jury heard Fraser tell police Yaretz Jr. was a member of the Independent Soldiers who threatened him when he said he'd go to police about his truck.

"He said, 'The RCMP won't do you any good, you're going to need an army to go against me,'" Fraser said.

Mathieu told the jury during cross-examination that registration for Fraser's truck changed in March 2009.

Defence lawyer Jordan Watt suggested the man who bought the vehicle is the father-in-law of the leader of a Kelowna gang, the Kingpins.

Mathieu was unaware, however he said another man involved in the trade for Fraser's truck was associated with the gang.

A member of RCMP Serious Crimes Unit told the jury earlier today he interviewed the president and vice president — No. 1 and 2 men — of the gang and discovered Yaretz Jr. was in debt with them prior to his death.

Watt suggested Fraser's truck was signed over to the group. The trial continues next week.

To contact a reporter for this story, email: jwallace@infotelnews.ca, call: (250) 319-7494 or tweet: @jess__wallace.

OPINION Editor, This is a busy time of year, but I find it’s also a time of reflection, particularly as January marks the end of my two-year term as Chair and my 10 years serving on the Board of Interior